septembre
Anthony strives to reach peak in the Rockies
By Marc J. Spears,
source Getty Images
DENVER – LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) will headline a star-filled free-agent class next summer which should rank as the most impressive in NBA history. Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony(notes) could have been part of that class, too.
He’s glad he isn’t.
“There aren’t going to be a lot of happy people out there,” Anthony said. “It’s going to be a zoo. … There are too many people.”
Three years ago, James, Wade and Bosh all signed three-year contract extensions with an option for a fourth year, making them eligible to become free agents in 2010. The move gives them a chance to make more money by becoming free agents sooner. More importantly, it also gives them the power to leverage their teams into keeping a talented supporting cast around them – and the flexibility to leave if their teams don’t.
Given Anthony’s poor upbringing in Baltimore, his mother, Mary, told her son she didn’t like the idea of leaving nearly $36 million on the table by opting for a shorter contract. Anthony listened and agreed to a four-year deal with an option for a fifth season that totaled $80 million, allowing him to possibly put off free agency until 2012.
At the time, it seemed like a wise decision for Anthony. Off-the-court issues had hurt his image. Five months after signing his extension, he punched New York Knicks guard Mardy Collins(notes), resulting in a 15-game suspension. Trouble never seemed far away. Taking the guaranteed money before he could further diminish his value looked like the safe bet.
